Staking a Claim in Paradise : The Appropriation of Central Asia by the Capitals of China (1625-1945)

Abstract

Lecture given at the China in Asia colloquia series, 2010-2011

OBJECTIVE Understand the non-Chinese notions at work in landscape-making and in thegarden architecture of the imperial capitals of China.

METHODOLOGY Examine imperial villas, gardens and temples. Hypothesis: These sites represent physically and explicitly theories andtechniques on landscape appropriation. Case study: The residences of the Qing dynasty (1625-1912) in Shenyang, Beijing (Yuanming yuan and Yihe yuan) and in Chengde (Bishu shanzhuang),and those of Manchoukouo (1932-1945).

EXPECTED RESULTS Conceptualize the Qing landscape through changes in scale rather thanthrough ruptures in time.